Mumbai still under seige this morning...

There were more explosions and a rapidly-moving fire that broke out this morning according to CNN. At 4:24 AM PST this morning, CNN is reporting there are 101 dead and 314 wounded that resulted from yesterday's and this morning's terrorist attacks.

There have been as many as 10 coordinated attacks in the last 12 hours in one of India's premiere cities, its financial capital. Formerly named Bombay, at 13 million, it is one of the most-populous cities in the world, a frequent Mecca to tourists and international business people from around the world.

Brief history of this event: All except one of the attacks took place in South Mumbai, at the crowded Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station; two five-star hotels: the Oberoi Trident at Nariman Point, and Taj Mahal Palace & Tower near the Gateway of India; the Leopold Café, a popular tourist restaurant in Colaba; the Cama Hospital; and the police headquarters where at least three high-level officers, including chief of the Anti Terrorism Squad of Maharashtra, were killed by gunfire.

The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower is showing flames bursting from a window on the fourth floor, while the sounds of explosions and automatic gunfire are purportedly being heard from both it and the Oberoi Trident.

As in all fluid events, which is what this continues to be, a previously unknown organization identifying itself as the Deccan Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the attacks by email sent to news organizations. Some media reports have attributed these terrorist attacks to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based Islamic militant group.

An ocean-going cargo vessel, the MV Alpha reportedly has been boarded by Indian officials and at the latest report, it is suspected to be involved in the attack.

Dave

Posted Nov. 27, 2008, 4:27 a.m.

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